The referral criteria and referral pathway for the clinical teams in the The Diabetes Integrated Team (DIT) is changing. The purpose of this change is to ensure this team is moving towards the Taranaki Diabetes model of care that was developed by the Diabetes Alliance across Te Whatu Ora, Pinnacle Midlands Health Network, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāruahine and Tui Ora.
The referral criteria has been updated for our Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) and Diabetes Specialist Dietitians (please refer Appendix 1*). The most significant changes being made is to limit referrals for those with type 2 diabetes to those with the most significant clinical need. As part of this referral criteria change, we are also transferring (back to GP) patients that have stable diabetes management and no longer meet the referral criteria.
This change will then enable the team to have greater capacity to achieve function 2 (above) of the model of care.
In addition to this, in early January 2024 the team is moving to ONE referral to the DIT team through BPAC (Appendix 2*). This means there will be just one referral to select within BPAC for the DIT, and the Diabetes CNS and Foot Protection Service (FPS) queues will be inactivated. It will be assumed that when the referral is sent, the patient is consenting for all services within the DIT team.
Where then, do my patients that have Type 2 diabetes and don’t meet the criteria, get optimised diabetes management?
How can my practice access support or upskilling if our patients are not meeting criteria for entry into the Diabetes Integrated Team?
The DIT team currently have vacancies within the Diabetes CNS team and the Foot Protection Service. This may impact on the timeliness of patients being seen. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you require a patient to be seen earlier, or if their situation has changed and they need further services involved in their care, or they have moved to a higher priority.
DIT referrals: Phone 06 753 7707.
Foot Protection Service: All urgent referrals are encouraged to telephone as well as refer. Ph 027 289 1559 (Rebecca Holbrook) or 06 753 7748.
The team hope you had a rested Christmas and New Year period, and look forward to working with you in 2024.
Kathy joined Pinnacle earlier this month as clinical diabetes specialist for Waikato, replacing the role previously held by Anne Waterman.
Read moreNovember is Diabetes Action Month and Diabetes NZ is calling on Kiwi's to Step Up For Diabetes, to prevent diabetes from reaching epidemic proportions in Aotearoa and help those already living with the disease to live well.
Read moreLearn more about the vision, priorities and activities for the Tūwharetoa locality, one the nine locality prototypes nationwide.
Read moreThe clinical diabetes specialist in primary care provides clinical mentorship and advice to the practice team in supporting patients with diabetes.
View detailsA guide for clinical management of type 2 diabetes, to support nurses at all levels to develop their knowledge and clinical reasoning in diabetes care.